Points to consider about upcoming 'Fletch' reboot

With reports circulating that "We're the Millers" star Jason Sudeikis is taking on the iconic role of Fletch in the upcoming movie "Fletch Won," KSL.com discusses points to consider about the project.

Dylan Cannon

According to ScreenRant.com (screenrant.com/fletch-reboot-jason-sudeikis/) and multiple other sources, Jason Sudeikis is in negotiations to play Irwin M. Fletcher in Warner Brother's upcoming film "Fletch Won." The film is a reboot of the "Fletch" series from the 1980s in which Chevy Chase played Irwin M. Fletcher, more commonly referred to as Fletch, a Los Angeles-based newswriter who utilizes disguises and assumes identities to garner information for his articles. With the news about the filmmakers finding their leading man, here are some points to consider as the movie moves through the stages of production:
How will Sudeikis fare as the new Fletch?
Chevy Chase's performance in the original "Fletch" (rottentomatoes.com/m/fletch) (not so much the less popular "Fletch Lives," rottentomatoes.com/m/fletch_lives) is iconic. To replace a Chase in a famous role is by no means an easy task for any actor. Movie buffs of 1980s films will be skeptical of anyone stepping into the role of the beloved Fletch.
However, Chase and Sudeikis have a lot in common. Both received their major break from starring in "Saturday Night Live." When the original "Fletch" came out, Chase was at the height of his popularity with legendary movies "Caddyshack" (rottentomatoes.com/m/caddyshack) and "National Lampoon's Vacation" (rottentomatoes.com/m/national_lampoons_vacation) having been released just prior to "Fletch." Likewise, Sudeikis is also striking while the iron is hot with his recent movies "Horrible Bosses" (rottentomatoes.com/m/horrible_bosses) and "We're the Millers" (rottentomatoes.com/m/were_the_millers/) both being box-office hits. Sudeikis' take on Fletch may propell him to bigger and better things if received well. If it is panned, however, it may bring an abrupt halt to an upward-rending career.
How will the reboot's new tone be received?
Producers of "Fletch Won" say the new film will be a gritty action-comedy and more tonally in line with the novels they are based on. In the original movies, the tone is much more lighthearted and playful, with Chase's sarcasm and goofy impersonations fueling the films. While fans of the novels may be pleased with this return to its roots, it will be interesting to see how fans of the movies will handle this tonal shift.
Is newcomer screenwriter David List up to the challenge of writing a major motion picture?
If you go to IMDB's website and look up the writer of "Fletch Won," David List (imdb.com/name/nm1034883/?ref_=tt_ov_wr#writer), you will see that he has exactly one credit to his name. That credit? "Fletch Won." The writer is a wildcard as of right now. It seems like a major risk for the studio to put so much trust in his capability. Only time will tell if the gamble pays off or if they should have hired a more seasoned writer.
When will this movie actually come to the screen?
According to FilmJunk.com, the idea for a "Fletch" reboot has been in the works for over a decade. These talks became more serious, however, when Warner Brothers bought the rights to the production of further movies back in 2011. The film has no director or timeframe. When will this movie actually come to the big screen? Perhaps even more pointedly, will this film make it to the big screen?%3Cimg%20src%3D%22http%3A//beacon.deseretconnect.com/beacon.gif%3Fcid%3D152980%26pid%3D46%22%20/%3E